Acute cardiovascular exercise diminishes the consolidation of a complex whole-body task in young adults

Wanner P, Ostermair F, Cristini J, Steib S (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Book Volume: 244

Journal Issue: 4

DOI: 10.1007/s00221-026-07256-3

Abstract

A single bout of cardiovascular exercise (CVE) can promote neuroplasticity in an intensity-dependent manner. Consequently, performing CVE immediately after encoding may enhance motor memory consolidation, with stronger effects reported for high intensities. However, most evidence comes from fine-motor tasks, and data on complex whole-body skills are still scarce. In this pre-registered experiment, 41 neurotypical young adults practiced a balance task used to study gross-motor learning. Immediately after encoding, we randomized participants into three groups: a high-intensity interval CVE group (90/60% Wmax), a moderate-intensity interval CVE group (45/25% Wmax), or a resting group. These CVE protocols have previously been shown to enhance consolidation in fine-motor tasks. To evaluate consolidation, we conducted retention tests 24 h and 7 days later and calculated relative offline changes from the end of encoding to the retention tests. Contrary to our hypothesis, both CVE groups showed reduced offline learning at the 24-hour retention test compared to rest (weighted mean CVE: 2.9%; REST: 12.5%), indicating a large effect. This negative effect was unaffected by biological sex, cardiorespiratory fitness, subjective sleep quality, and post-exercise lactate levels, but was no longer present at the 7-day retention test. Our findings suggest that post-encoding CVE may attenuate early consolidation of complex whole-body motor skills, regardless of intensity. This challenges assumptions derived from fine-motor paradigms and holds relevance for applied sport and rehabilitation contexts, warranting further investigation. We discuss possible mechanisms, including catecholamine-driven reduction of frontal brain processes and interference between overlapping neural circuits engaged by the motor task and CVE.

Authors with CRIS profile

Florian Ostermair Lehrstuhl für Sportwissenschaft mit dem Schwerpunkt Bewegung und Gesundheit

Involved external institutions

Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg DE Germany (DE) Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital CA Canada (CA)

How to cite

APA:

Wanner, P., Ostermair, F., Cristini, J., & Steib, S. (2026). Acute cardiovascular exercise diminishes the consolidation of a complex whole-body task in young adults. , 244(4). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-026-07256-3

MLA:

Wanner, Philipp, et al. "Acute cardiovascular exercise diminishes the consolidation of a complex whole-body task in young adults." 244.4 (2026).

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